A Place To Call Home
The seeds of change are found in everyday experience. The stories of people who live in supportive housing can shed light on important issues, such as what it is like to experience homelessness or live with mental illness or a disability. Because of this, during 2019, the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) and Housing Action Illinois partnered to bring a series of five workshops to help residents of permanent supportive housing explore telling stories to make a difference. The stories in this publication grew out of the workshops, and we are grateful to everyone whose experiences are shared in these pages. Together, we can build a more understanding, compassionate world. Our thanks to the Illinois Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund for making this collaboration possible.
The seeds of change are found in everyday experience. The stories of people who live in supportive housing can shed light on important issues, such as what it is like to experience homelessness or live with mental illness or a disability. Because of this, during 2019, the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) and Housing Action Illinois partnered to bring a series of five workshops to help residents of permanent supportive housing explore telling stories to make a difference. The stories in this publication grew out of the workshops, and we are grateful to everyone whose experiences are shared in these pages. Together, we can build a more understanding, compassionate world.
Our thanks to the Illinois Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund for making this collaboration possible.
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CHARLES
Rockford workshop
My name is Charles, and I am a
member of the Carpenter’s Place
Permanent Housing Program in
Rockford, Illinois. I’m sharing a
story of hope and recovery.
“I’m sharing a
story of hope
and recovery.”
My journey in life began as a typical child, except for some things; what
I thought would be only minor setbacks growing up, perhaps emotional
problems or a few tantrums. Little did I know that soon, these kind of
problems would alter my life in ways that I never thought possible.
There was a time when mental illness was something that could be
addressed with a limited amount or number of medications to experiment
with; not to mention that awareness of this disease was also limited. As a
teenager I began what is known as trying to medicate one’s self.
Not being completely aware of the implications, this of course led me
down a path of a worsening condition: addiction. Now, at this point,
I’ve had many “ups and downs,” such as having spent time in rehab, jail,
institutions.
I decided to look into the “probable causes” of such a horrible curse. I
brought myself to a mental health center to seek some answers. I was
diagnosed with Bipolar, as well as drug addiction or whatever might
constitute being a drug addict. At least I had some insight now.
“There were times
when I really wanted to
give up. Nights under
a bridge, nights spent
in a public elevator to
stay out of the rain.”
Throughout my struggles, there
were times when I really wanted
to give up. Nights under a bridge,
nights spent in a public elevator to
stay out of the rain.
However, with the help of local and
statewide organizations, I do have
relief and a place to call home.
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